You're right, Trapper, the gospel is so simple and we try to make it so hard. Distill the gospel down to its elements, and what do you get?
1. God is holy. We are not.
2. We must prepare our hearts for the Kingdom of God- the way of the Lord. We can't.
3. Jesus is the way. Also the truth. And the life. Accept this.
4. We aren't like Him at all. Repent.
5. Keep looking at Christ, and do what He did. Love others. Stand back and let God be God.